Angel Tree provides happy holidays for families in need

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF Mildenhall, England --  Year after year, the generosity of Team Mildenhall members means children will have a happier Christmas as they receive presents they otherwise wouldn't have.

The "Angel Tree," located in the lobby of the RAF Mildenhall BXtra, is covered with angel tags - each representing a different child. Team Mildenhall members and their families can take one of the tags - which lists generic details such as age, whether the child is a boy or girl, and suggested gifts - purchase a present (which should be left unwrapped) and place it in the box next to the tree.

Run Air Force-wide by first sergeants, the Angel Tree is a program which provides gifts for children of those who may be going through difficult times and need support, said Master Sgt. Shannon Thomas, 100th Operations Support Squadron first sergeant from Iona, Minn.

The first sergeants in every squadron talk to their flight supervisors, who then provide names of those who may need some kind of help, according to Senior Master Sgt. Beau Jones, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant from Fort Wayne, Ind.

"Those people usually don't know they're being nominated," Jones said. "We usually end up getting between 500 and 600 gifts - last year we gave 100 gifts to children in local hospitals and hospices, and we still gave all our nominated children an average of four gifts each. After the 'angels' run out, people still put gifts in the box."

The Angel Tree runs in conjunction with Operation Warmheart, which provides between $5,000 to $6,000 per year of commissary vouchers to many Airmen and Team Mildenhall members throughout the holiday season. Both rely solely on donations.

Although typically aimed at junior enlisted, it can also be for civilians and officers.

"Struggling doesn't have to have a rank associated with it," said Master Sgt. Joel Villarin, 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant from Jacksonville, Fla.

The program is completely anonymous; those buying gifts have no way of knowing who they are for. Only the first sergeants know who the gifts will go to, and they keep the information to themselves.

Once all the gifts are collected, they are wrapped and sent to Santa Claus in the North Pole.

"It's a Team Mildenhall effort - we send them either on a KC-135 (Stratotanker) or C-130 (Combat Talon)," said Jones. "This year we might be able to send some on a CV-22 (Osprey). I actually have a couple of thank you letters from Kris Kringle."

The Angel Tree and collection box is at the RAF Mildenhall BXtra until Dec. 21, 2013. Gifts should be left unwrapped, with the angel tag attached.

"Every year we do this and it's more inherent now, in this time of financial constraints for people to consider giving a little bit more to help those who are less fortunate," Villarin said.

For more information, contact unit first sergeants.